Odisha to amend Grama Panchayat Act

The Odisha Cabinet today approved a proposal to amend ‘The Orissa Grama Panchayat Act’ which will facilitate the creation of 500 new panchayats in the state.

Sources said the amendment on being effective would facilitate the creation of about 500-600 panchayats keeping with the promise made by the BJD in its 2014 poll manifesto to create a panchayat for every 1,000 population.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the state secretariat approved a proposal for establishment of a health university in the state. It also approved a proposal for grant of Rs 15 crore Cash credit to Aska Cooperative Sugar Factory, sources said.

A proposal to amend the Bihar and Orissa Places of Pilgrimage Act got the Cabinet’s nod, sources revealed.

The Cabinet which gave its approval to six proposals today also approved a proposal to give appointments to meritorious sportspersons in government jobs, sources said.